GMHAN Community passes 2000 members
By Emma Scott, Global Mental Health Action Network
Our network has always been about our members. People from different backgrounds, disciplines and lived experiences have been the inspiration for building a network that truly answers the complex needs of improving mental health worldwide.
This is why we are excited to announce that the Global Mental Health Action Network has passed 2000 members; each bringing a unique and valuable contribution. And with members from over 127 different countries and counting, GMHAN is increasingly reflective of a diverse online community without borders.
Why does this matter?
Because no issue, particularly when we talk about mental health, is too great to overcome. Around the world, varied cultures, socio-economic factors and laws all uniquely affect in-country provision and planning for mental health. Globally stigma and discrimination also play a large role, one that will take time, insight and action to change.
Our aim from the start has been to facilitate conversation, in order to build collaboration, and help propel progress forward. Each new member removes a blind spot, allows us to better see the scale of the problem, and imagine new solutions.
GMHAN Membership map - September 2022
With that in mind, our new community platform, GMHAN CIRCLE, alongside our recently launched website has helped galvanise our members, and made it easier than ever to be involved. With separate forums for our working groups, and more open forums for our members to showcase or engage with one another’s work, the strength of the member-led network remains with the diversity of it’s membership.
As we look forward to the future, there is still a lot of work to be done. But taking stock of the community we have helped build together, according to our values and our commitment to a truly global solution to a global issue is important. With more than 2000 members in more than 127 countries, we have a unique and continuing opportunity to make our community a catalyst for change.
